Master of Public Administration (MPA)

The Master of Public Administration program is designed to serve students who are currently employed in a public-service organization or are contemplating a new career in public and human services. The MPA program is intended to be challenging, but also flexible enough to accommodate the schedules of both full-time and part-time students.

Applications from prospective graduate students are welcome year ‘round. A student accepted into the program may begin to pursue graduate study in any semester, provided that work begins within 12 months of the student’s offer of admission to the MPA program.

Graduate Admissions Procedures

When all application materials required to make an admission decision have been received by the Office of Graduate Admissions, notification will be sent to the applicant and a copy of all materials will be forwarded to the program.

Upon review, a letter from the MPA program will be sent to the applicant verifying acceptance or denial.

General Admissions Requirements for Master of Public Administration

1.  Graduate Admission Application.
2. $40 application fee.
3. Official transcripts from all regionally-accredited institutions of higher education previously attended. You are not required to request official transcripts if you graduated from North Georgia. International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution and a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.50 (4.0 scale).
4. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Only those scores that are less than 6 years old will be considered. You may exempt an entrance test if you hold a master's degree from a regionally-accredited institution.
5. 3 North Georgia recommendation forms.
6.  North Georgia Certificate of Immunization, in accordance with Board of Regents' policy. Former returning North Georgia students are required to submit only proof of a tetanus booster within the last 10 years.

Application materials are kept for 1 year for incomplete files and for 3 years for individuals who complete an application and are accepted, but do not enroll.

Regular Admission Requirements

1. Baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, 4-year institution with at least an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admissions procedures.
2. Entrance test score of at least 420 on the GMAT, or at least 800 on the GRE (v&q combined) prior to August 1, 2011, or at least 285 on the GRE (v&q combined) after August 1, 2011, is required. Only entrance test scores less than 6 years old will be considered.
3. Meet all other program admission requirements.

Provisional Admission Requirements 

1. Baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, 4-year institution with at least a cumulative GPA of 2.50 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admissions procedures.
2. Entrance test score of at least 340 on the GMAT, or at least 700 on the GRE (v&q combined) prior to August 1, 2011, or at least 280 on the GRE (v&q combined) after August 1, 2011.  Only entrance test scores less than 6 years old will be considered.
3. Meet all other program admission requirements.

• Students admitted provisionally may register for no more than a cumulative total of 6-9 hours of graduate credit while enrolled with this status.
• Student status will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following the completion of 6 hours.
• Provisionally admitted students who earn a grade less than a "B" in any graduate public administration course taken during the provisional period will not be allowed to continue in the MPA program.
• Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply for admission by submitting a letter to the MPA program coordinator after a period of 1 year from the date the student was removed.
• Provisionally admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

Non-Degree Admission

Individuals interested in taking graduate public administration courses, but do not want to pursue a graduate degree, may apply for admission as a non-degree graduate student. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the MPA program coordinator before enrolling in courses and may register for no more than a total of 9 hours of graduate credit.

Application Checklist for Non-Degree Admission

1.  Graduate Admission Application.
2. $40 application fee.
3. Official transcripts from all regionally-accredited institutions of higher education previously attended with at least a 2.75 (4.0 scale) overall cumulative GPA in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admissions procedures. Official international transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. Transcripts must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75.
4. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) of at least 800 (v&q combined), or of at least 285 on the GRE(R) (v&q combined), or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score of at least 420. Only those scores that are less than 6 years old will be considered.
5. 3 North Georgia recommendation forms.
6.  North Georgia Certificate of Immunization, in accordance with Board of Regents' policy. Former returning North Georgia students are required to submit only proof of a tetanus booster within the last 10 years.

• Non-degree students wishing to apply for degree-seeking admission to the MPA program must submit a new application and meet all program admission requirements.
• Elective credits to be applied toward a degree must be approved by the MPA program coordinator.
• Non-degree admitted students who earn a grade less than a "B" in any graduate public administration course taken while holding a non-degree status will not be allowed to continue in the MPA program.
• Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply for admission by submitting a letter to the MPA program coordinator after a period of 1 year from the date the student was removed.
• Non-degree admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

Transient Student Admission

An individual currently enrolled at a regionally accredited college or university as a graduate student in good standing may apply to North Georgia as a transient student. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the MPA program coordinator before enrolling in courses. Requests will be considered on a space-available basis.

Application Checklist for Transient Student Admission

1. Graduate Admission Application.

2. $40 application fee.
3. North Georgia Certificate of Immunization, in accordance with Board of Regents' policy. Former North Georgia students are required to submit only proof of  a tetanus booster within the last 10 years.
4. Letter of good standing or Transient Permission form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at his or her home institution.  The letter or form should state that the student is in good standing and should indicate the course(s) the student is allowed to take at North Georgia.

• Transient admission is for 1 term only.
•  Individuals who wish to return to North Georgia as a transient student for a subsequent term must re-apply.

Appeal of Graduate Admission

A candidate whose application is denied because the graduate admission cumulative GPA is below the minimum requirement for the program or because an acceptable test score for an appropriate entrance exam was not earned has the right to appeal the decision. Appeals must be made in written form to:

Master of Public Administration Program
Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice
Hansford Hall
North Georgia College & State University
Dahlonega, GA 30597-1001

• Letter should clearly state the grounds for appeal.
• Applicants whose appeals are accepted will be admitted provisionally.
• Provisionally admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.
• Students may not appeal for regular admission.